THERE are fears that the closure of a vital hospital unit which had been earmarked for a revamp could become permanent.

The endosocopy unit at Llandudno Hospital, which is supposed to be upgraded in the £48m scheme to make the facility a hub for community health care, shut in April in what was supposed to be a temporary move.

The reason given was a lack of specially trained nurses.

But a hospital insider who doesn’t want to be named said this isn’t entirely true.

“There are trained nurses available, but the health board isn’t employing them as it’s trying to save money. We are worried the closure could become permanent,” they said.

Since April patients have had to travel to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan and Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor for endoscopy.

Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders has been pursuing the issue and says she’s very concerned that closure of the Llandudno unit could happen by the “back door.”

She commented: “I am extremely concerned about the mixed messages coming forward on the current and future provisions available at Llandudno Hospital.

“When Darren Millar AM and myself visited the hospital in July last year, the redevelopment of the endoscopy unit was hailed as positive and exciting news for the retention of vital services at this site, yet the endoscopy unit is now closed.

“I am seeking assurances that the much promised future enhancement spending plans totalling £45m is to be forthcoming, as any changes to this previous decision would be a travesty and would seriously undermine any public confidence in the local health board and ultimately the government’s handling of our health service in Wales.”

In 2010 former health minister Edwina Hart announced a £45m revamp of the hospital to include an expansion of the endoscopy unit which provides a vital internal examination service through the use of a camera device (endoscope).

A statement from the Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board reads: “The endoscopy unit at Llandudno General Hospital continues to be closed on a temporary basis.

“For now endoscopy services are being concentrated at the three principal hospital sites to make best use of the staff available while the optimal arrangement of services for the future is being considered.”